You might take a moment

You might take a moment to put your hand to your chin and comment: “That’s a really good question. Hmm . . . let me see. I haven’t thought about that one lately.” This stalling behavior is perfectly tolerated by the interviewer because you are letting him or her into your thinking process. And, after all, you are human, and so is he or she! Interviewers don’t necessarily expect you to answer on a dime.

Some questions require a moment to reflect. As you use this time (rather than panicking), allow yourself to take a deep breath or two. It’s also okay to allow your eyes to roam or glance down at the floor, at a window, or to a picture on the wall.

Extensive research in how our brains access information tells us that sometimes it is necessary to look to the side, up, down, or even “into space” for a moment in order to give the brain access to stored sensory cues. These cues help us construct what to say next. Ninety-nine percent of the time you can trust your brain to come up with an answer.

If you can’t think of anything relevant to say at that moment, the following answer will keep you poised, while at the same time showing that you are willing to take initiative:

ANSWER: You know, that’s such an interesting question. I think the answer deserves time for some research. Can I look into it this evening and call or send an e-mail with my answer first thing in the morning?

Taken from : Fearless Interviewing - How To Win The Job